WhyDo People Abuse PrescriptionDrugs?

People may use them instead of street drugs for many reasons.

They can get them. People may share drugs, buy them on the Internet or take them from friends or family.

They can save money. Street drugs often cost more than prescription drugs.

They think the drugs are safer. Prescription drugs are FDA approved when used under a doctor's care. They aren't safe when misused.

They've used the drug before. People may have had a positive experience with a drug when under a doctor's care.

Some people start out using a drug legally, then abuse it.

They may want more than is prescribed. They may think the doctor doesn't understand what they need.

They may be dependent or addicted. This can happen if people use more of a drug or use it more often than prescribed.

Is It Legal? Buying and taking some drugs without a prescription is against the law. In many states the punishment may be a large fine and a prison term.

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What Is Addiction? These are signs a person is addicted to a drug:

Tolerance. The person needs more and more of the drug to get the same feeling. This increases the chances of overdose.

Withdrawal. Because the body and brain must have the drug to feel normal, stopping use makes the person feel sick. Withdrawal can be mild, violent or even fatal.

Very strong urges to use the drug. A person can't stop using the drug, even though it causes serious problems with family, friends, work, school, money, health or the law.

Get Help See a doctor if you think you might be addicted to prescription drugs.

Drug addiction happens in stages.

Only a trained health professional can assess and offer the best treatment.

Some drugs need to be stopped slowly to be sure withdrawal is safe.

There are many treatment options.

Surveys suggest that misuse of prescription drugs

is growing among all ages.

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Prescriptionshows it.

Some signs of drug abuse:

A person can't control use. DrugAbuse The person uses drugs to escape problems.

A person's personality changes while using the drug.

The person has problems at work or school related to using the drug .

Family or friends are concerned about the person's drug use.

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This brochure is not intended as a substitute for your health professional's opinion or care. The names of actual products mentioned in this brochure may be the trademarks of the owners. Written by Jeanne Irwin-Olson, MEd. © 2004 ETA Associates. All rights reserved. It is a violation of U.S. copyright law to reproduce any portion of this publication. ETR1-soo-321-4407

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WarningSigns Someone with a serious drug problem often

What Is Prescription Abuse?Drug Which Prescription Drugs Are Abused? Prescription drugs can relieve pain, control symptoms and help people heal. But they must be used under a doctor's care.

Some people abuse prescription drugs. This means they misuse the drugs on purpose.

They may:

Get the drugs without a doctor's order.

Use someone else's prescription.

Use more of the drug than is prescribed.

Get prescriptions from more than one doctor at the same time.

Use a drug for reasons it's not prescribed for.

Abusing prescription drugs is risky. It can cause serious harm to your body, brain and health.

What Are the Risks? Prescription drugs are powerful. They aren't safe to use without a doctor's order.

Your doctor will know:

If you'll have a reaction. Drugs affect each person differently. Allergies or other health factors may make some drugs dangerous for you to take.

How much you should take. Taking too much of a drug can be harmful or even fatal.

How often you should take it. Many -drugs are highly addictive. Using the drug too often raises the risk of addiction.

If you can use it with other drugs. Using prescription drugs with other drugs can make you sick, or even be fatal. This includes alcohol and over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines.

What drug you're getting. Drugs sold on the Internet without a prescription may not be the medicine you think they are.

Drug Type

Narcotics Examples:

OxyContin Vicodin

Depressants Examples:

Valium Xanax

Stimulants Examples:

Dexedrine Ritalin

Why Is It Prescribed?

Blocks pain messages. Used to treat moderate to severe pam.

Slows down brain activity. Used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks and sleep disorders.

Speeds up brain activity. Used to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some forms of depression or obesity, and asthma.

1 Possible Negative Effects

1

Drowsiness

Constipation

Breathing problems

Death after a single large dose

Drowsiness or confusion

Seizures

Slowed breathing and heartbeat.

Can be fatal when mixed with other drugs.

Trouble sleeping

High body teb perature and irregular heart rate

Heart failure or seizures

Hostility or feelings of paranoia

I Dangerous I To Mix With

Alcohol

Some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines

Valium, Xanax and other depressants

Alcohol

OxyContin, Vicodin and other narcotics

Some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines

High blood pressure

Some over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines

Antidepressants

Some asthma medicines

Using prescription drugs without a doctor's care can be very risky.

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